Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Military correspondent Judah Ari Gross and environmental reporter Sue Surkes appear on today's podcast with host Jessica Steinberg.

Gross discusses his visit to Morocco last week with defense minister Benny Gantz, on a trip that focused on the warming relationship between Israel and Morocco, particularly between the two armies.  The trip was of particular interest to members of Gantz's entourage, some of whom are of Moroccan heritage, and most of whom had never visited the country previously.

Surkes describes ongoing issues in the Knesset internal affairs and environment committee with the state company that signed a contentious deal with the United Arab Emirates to transport its oil from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.

She also looks at plans for building six new marinas around Israel, as environmental groups counter the plan, pointing out that it will interfere with marine life and can be avoided.

Discussed articles include:

Israel looking to deepen ties with Morocco, with plans for arms sales, joint drills

Hearing the cantor sing the prayer for IDF soldiers… in Morocco

Firm behind disputed UAE-Eilat oil pipeline: Ministries don’t have right to see deal

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IMAGE: The first Israel Defense Forces officers to ever visit Morocco in uniform, from left, Col. Noam Arbeli, Brig. Gen. Yaki Dolf, and Lt. Col. Netanel Kula in front of the Tomb of Moroccan King Muhammad V in Rabat on November 24, 2021. (Defense Ministry)

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